A service coupling for use with either a push-type or a screw-type port valve of a charge port is provided that includes a body portion and an axially moveable valve housing. Axial movement of an actuator permits both the selective axial movement of the valve housing from a rearward position toward a forward position and the selective disengagement of the port valve to open a flow path. In one embodiment the actuator has a nose portion that engages a threaded port valve, or axially moves a push-pin valve, to open a flow path. The operation is the same with either type of type of valve such that the user in not required to know which type of valve is present.
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1. A service coupling for connecting a fluid source to a fluid system having a charging port that includes an axially displaceable port valve, comprising:
(a) a body portion extending along an axis from an adjustment end to an outlet end, the body portion including a central passageway and a lateral port positioned between the ends to provide communication between the central passageway and the fluid source; (b) an axially moveable valve housing received in the central passageway, the valve housing including a fluid flow opening in communication with the lateral port to form a flow path, and at least one pressure balancing passage extending there through between opposing longitudinal ends; and (c) an actuator for permitting the movement of the valve housing from a rearward position toward the adjustment end to a forward position toward the outlet end, wherein axial movement of the actuator results in disengagement of the port valve from sealing engagement in the charging port to open the flow path, and wherein as the flow path is opened, the at least one pressure balancing passage results in the pressure being substantially balanced on either end of the valve housing.
24. A service coupling for connecting a fluid source to a fluid system, comprising:
(a) a body portion extending along an axis from an adjustment end to an outlet end, the body portion including a central passageway and a lateral port positioned between the ends to provide communication between the central passageway and the fluid source; (b) an axially moveable safety sleeve received in the central passageway, the safety sleeve including a fluid flow opening in communication with the lateral port to form a flow path, and an interior passageway; and (c) a shaft moveable within the interior passageway of the safety sleeve for selectively permitting the movement of the safety sleeve from a rearward position toward the adjustment end to a forward position toward the outlet end, wherein axial movement of the shaft results in disengagement of the port valve from sealing engagement in the charging port to open the flow path, the shaft including a nose portion with a non-circular profile adapted for mutual engagement with a corresponding profile of a first specific type port valve; and wherein the nose portion is further adapted for mutual engagement with a push pin associated with a second specific type port valve.
21. A service coupling for connecting a fluid source to a fluid system, comprising:
(a) a charging port that includes an axially displaceable port valve, the valve being of either a push-pin type or a screw-type; (b) a body portion extending along an axis from an adjustment end to an outlet end, the body portion including a central passageway and a lateral port positioned between the ends to provide communication between the central passageway and the fluid source; (c) an axially moveable safety sleeve received in the central passageway, the safety sleeve including a fluid flow opening in communication with the lateral port to form a flow path, and at least one pressure balancing passage extending there through between opposing longitudinal ends, a first cavity being disposed on a side of the safety sleeve adjacent to the port valve and a second cavity being disposed adjacent an opposing side of the safety sleeve, the pressure balancing passage disposed between the first cavity and the second cavity; and (d) an actuator for permitting the movement of the safety sleeve from a rearward position toward the adjustment end to a forward position toward the outlet end, wherein axial movement of the actuator results in disengagement of the port valve from sealing engagement in the charging port to open the flow path, and wherein as the flow path is opened, the at least one pressure balancing passage results in the pressure being substantially balanced on either end of the safety sleeve.
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The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/058,555, filed Jan. 28, 2002, now U.S. Pat No. 6,450,199, and U.S. provisional Application No. 60/394,353, filed Jul. 8, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a service coupling for use in directing refrigerant from a refrigerant supply source to a refrigeration system through a charging port which is normally attached to the refrigeration system and in communication therewith. The service coupling may also be used to evacuate refrigerant from a refrigeration system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Traditional refrigerants, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), are strictly regulated because of their contribution to the depletion of ozone in the atmosphere. The search for new and environmentally benign refrigerants to replace the existing CFCs and HCFCs led to the introduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), such as R134a. However, HFCs still exhibit a relatively high global-warming potential (GWP) and higher usage costs as compared to natural refrigerants, such as carbon dioxide and ammonia. These concerns have spurred calls for the investigation of alternative refrigeration systems employing refrigerants other than HFCs. The automotive air-conditioning industry has already begun to address the challenges of replacing HFCs, through the development of refrigeration systems employing carbon dioxide as the refrigerant.
Service couplings or adapters used to direct refrigerant from a refrigerant supply source to a refrigeration system through an inlet or "charging" port in the refrigeration system, are well known in the art. One known service coupling employs one or more features that allow for a "quick connect" to the charging port of the refrigeration system. Once connected, a service valve in the service coupling engages and actuates a port valve in the charging port to open a refrigerant flow path between the charging port and the service coupling. The service valve is typically moved into engagement with the port valve by a rotatable knob that is threadably connected to the service coupling.
Conventional service couplings, such as those used to service automotive R134a air-conditioning systems, are generally designed to function at pressures up to approximately 100 psi (6.9 bar). However, refrigeration systems employing carbon dioxide as the refrigerant typically operate at pressures significantly higher than typical R134a refrigeration systems, i.e., greater than 100 psi (6.9 bar).
Due to these relatively high pressures, conventional service couplings suffer from several limitations that generally preclude their use in refrigeration systems employing carbon dioxide. One limitation is that the relatively high refrigerant pressure applies a significant load on the service valve, thereby requiring an excessive amount of torque to turn the knob.
Another limitation is that the "quick connect" features of the service coupling are rendered virtually inoperable due to entrapped pressurized refrigerant between the service coupling and charging port prior to disconnection. This trapped pressure also causes an undesirable violent disconnection of the service coupling from the charging port.
Still another limitation is that the refrigerant flow rate through a conventional service coupling during evacuation of a refrigeration system is relatively high. In a refrigeration system employing carbon dioxide as the refrigerant, a relatively high evacuation flow rate may cause explosive decompression of the seals, i.e., the undesirable rapid expansion of gaseous refrigerant trapped in a seal. A relatively high evacuation flow rate may also lead to the formation of "dry ice" in the charging port or service coupling, which could prevent re-sealing of the service and port valves and allow the refrigerant to escape.
Therefore an improved service coupling is required for charging and evacuating relatively high-pressure refrigerant systems, such as those employing carbon dioxide.
A service coupling is provided for connecting a refrigerant supply source to a refrigeration system having a charging port that includes an axially displaceable port valve. The service coupling includes a body portion having a central passageway extending along an axis from an adjustment end to an outlet end and a lateral port positioned between the ends providing communication between the central passageway and the refrigerant source. An axially moveable valve housing is disposed in the central passageway. The valve housing extends from a first end positioned between the lateral port and the outlet end and a second end positioned proximate the adjustment end. The valve housing includes at least one pressure balancing passage that extends therethrough from the first end to the second end, and a service valve sealingly engaged within the valve housing. An actuator is provided to move the valve housing from a rearward position toward the adjustment end to a forward position toward the outlet end. Axial movement of the valve housing to the forward position causes the service valve to abut and disengage the port valve from sealing engagement in the charging port and the service valve from sealing engagement in the valve housing to open a refrigerant flow path. Axial movement of the valve housing to the forward position also creates a void between the second end of the valve housing and the body portion. The void is provided in communication with the refrigerant flow path by the at least one passage that extends through the valve housing, such that the pressure is substantially balanced on either end of the valve housing. The balance of pressure on either side of the valve housing results in only a minimum amount of force being required to move the valve housing within the central passageway.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the service coupling is provided with at least one bleed passage for venting pressurized refrigerant trapped between the service coupling and the charging port prior to disconnection. Movement of the valve housing to the forward position seals the bleed passage, whereas movement of the valve housing to the rearward position closes the flow path and permits the residual refrigerant trapped between charging port and service coupling to be released through the unsealed bleed passage.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the lateral port is provided with a coupling member for connecting the service coupling to a refrigerant supply/evacuation system. The coupling member includes a check valve or restrictor that is configured to restrict refrigerant flow through the lateral port in a first direction and to permit substantially unrestricted refrigerant flow through the lateral port in a second direction opposite the first direction.
In another embodiment of the invention, the charging port may include either a push-type valve or a screw-type valve. The valve body is a shaft having additional functionality and the valve housing comprises a safety sleeve working in combination with the rigidly positioned body portion of the valve. The service coupling will work in an operationally equivalent manner with either type of valve.
Among other advantages, the novel design of the inventive service coupling permits a refrigerant flow path to be opened between the charging port of a relatively high-pressure system and the service coupling with minimal effort. Another advantage is that the refrigerant trapped between the charging port and the service coupling is automatically vented after closing of the service valve and port valve, permitting an easy and relatively non-violent disconnection of the service coupling from the charging port. Still another advantage is that the flow rate of the refrigerant being evacuated from the refrigerant system is readily controlled by the check valve to minimize the occurrence of explosive decompression or the formation of dry ice.
Various additional aspects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to
Charging port 22 may be of a conventional type and, in and of itself, forms no part of the present invention. However, a remedial understanding of charging port 22 will assist in explaining operation of service coupling 20.
Charging port 22 includes a body 24 having a central passage 26 extending therethrough from an inlet end 28 to an outlet end 30. As illustrated in
Referring still to
Referring to
Central passage 64 of body portion 58 is provided with a first internal diameter 76 in the vicinity of adjustment end 60, a second internal diameter 78 in the vicinity of outlet end 62 and an enlarged annular channel 80 aligned with lateral port 66. Positioned within central passage 64 is a valve housing 82 sized to be snugly but slidingly received inwardly of first internal diameter 76. Valve housing 82 includes a generally cylindrical body 84, having a central axis common with axis A--A, and an adjustment post 86 that protrudes outwardly from body 84 along axis A--A. Body 84 includes an inner cavity 88 within which inwardly extends a shoulder 90 and internal threads 92. A plurality of flow holes 94 are disposed through body 84 and intersect cavity 88 at a substantially right angle with respect to axis A--A. Body 84 also includes at least one pressure balancing passage 96 (shown in phantom in
Valve housing 82 is connected to knob 70 for movement therewith as knob 70 is threaded onto and off of body portion 58. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of adjustment post 86 extends through a hole 98 in body portion 58 and a axially aligned hole 100 in knob 70. A pair of washers 102 is disposed over adjustment post 86 on either side of knob 70. During manufacture of service coupling 20, a distal end 104 of adjustment post 86 is swaged or otherwise deformed to prevent washers 102 and knob 70 from sliding off adjustment post 86 during rotation. Washers 102 slide against knob 70, permitting knob 70 to rotate freely with respect to adjustment post 86.
Rotation of knob 70, and the axial movement thereof resulting from interengagement of threads 68 and 72, causes valve housing 82 to (1) move axially to a rearward position toward adjustment end 60 (to the right in
Depending on the external diameters of charging port 22 and valve housing 82, body portion 58 may be optionally divided into two or more sections to facilitate assembly of service coupling 20. As illustrated in
Received within cavity 88 of valve housing 82 is a sealing member 116 and a service valve 118 that is biased against sealing member 116 by a resiliently compressible member 120, such as a compression spring. Sealing member 116, which is preferably manufactured of a polymeric material, such as EPDM rubber or PTFE, abuts inwardly directed shoulder 90. Sealing member 116 is preferably a flat, annular gasket, as illustrated in
A valve retainer 128 is also received in cavity 88 to secure sealing member 116, service valve 118 and resilient compressible member 120 within cavity 88 of valve housing 82. Valve retainer 128 preferably includes a guide portion 130, through which service valve 118 extends, and a cylindrical base portion 132 having external threads 134 that engage internal threads 92 in cavity 88. Guide portion 132 is a generally rectangular member having a width large enough to support service valve 118, yet narrow enough to allow the passage of refrigerant, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Base portion 132 of valve retainer 128 abuts sealing member 116 to maintain sealing member 116 against shoulder 90.
Referring to
Referring again to
Body portion 58, and more particularly second section 110, preferably includes an inwardly directed shoulder 148 against which is held an annular sealing member 150, such as an O-ring. Sealing member 150 sealingly engages charging port 22 as it is received in service coupling 20 to seal against the escape of refrigerant between charging port 22 and service coupling 20. Sealing member 150 is restricted against substantial axial movement within passage 64 by shoulder 148 and a snap-ring 152 that is received within an outwardly facing groove 154 in first internal diameter 76.
Referring now to
Within coupling member 156 is disposed a check valve or restrictor 162 to regulate the flow rate of refrigerant exiting charging port 22 through service coupling 20. Referring to
Referring again to
The area of body portion 58 adjacent flange 194 is preferably provided with an inwardly facing annular groove 198 in which is positioned a retaining ring 200. Retaining ring 200 abuts both flange 194 and a shoulder 202 on locking sleeve 184, as shown in
Service coupling 20 is preferably provided with an interlock sleeve 208 to prevent the inadvertent release of service coupling 20 from charging port 22 when the refrigerant flow path is open. Referring to
In operation, when service coupling 20 is disengaged from charging port 22, locking sleeve 184 will be in its non-retracted or forward position shown in FIG. 2 and held in such position by the biasing force of resilient member 190. Service coupling 20 is engaged to charging port 20 by retracting locking sleeve 184, as shown in
As service coupling 20 engages charging port 22, inlet end 28 of charging port 22 will enter into outlet end 62 of service coupling 20 and sealingly engages sealing member 150. Further axial movement of charging port 22 toward adjustment end 60 causes detent balls 180 to ride over a shoulder 220 on charging port 20 until detent balls 180 are radially in line with a groove 222 in charging port 22. Detent balls 180 are forced radially inwardly as a result of the urging of locking sleeve 184 toward outlet end 62 in response to urging of resilient member 190 and the action of conical cam surface 188 forcing detent balls 180 radially inwardly. Detent balls 180 engage a side of shoulder 220 furthest removed from charging port inlet end 28 to secure service coupling 20 to charging port 22.
With service coupling 20 and charging port 22 thus engaged, as illustrated in
Prior to opening of service valve 118 and port valve 44, service coupling 20 is pressurized through the service hose or other conduit that is attached to the refrigerant supply/evacuation system. Sealing members 144 on either side of lateral port 66 prevent refrigerant from passing between body portion 58 and valve housing 82. Therefore, there is no pressure force acting axially on valve assembly 82 that would inhibit rotation of knob 70 to open service coupling 20.
To open service coupling 20 and charging port 22 to the flow of refrigerant through lateral port 66, knob 70 is rotated in a first predetermined direction causing knob 70 to move axially to the position shown in FIG. 2. Such rotation of knob 70 does not cause substantial rotation of valve housing 82 as a result of frictional resistance to such rotation by virtue of valve housing 82 being in contact with sealing members 140 and 144. Axial movement of valve housing 82 from the position of
Once service valve 118 contacts port valve 44, there is some resistance to further axial movement of valves 118, 44 due to pressure in the refrigeration system acting against port valve 44. However, this resistance is generally insignificant due to the relatively small diameter of port valve 44. Referring to
Depending on the biasing force exerted against both service valve 118 and port valve 44, it is possible that service valve 118 will not be actuated to the fully "open" position. To ensure that service valve 118 is fully actuated, a dowel pin 228 may be provided through the portion of service valve 118 that extends outwardly beyond valve housing 82. During insertion of charging port 22 into service coupling 20, inlet end 28 of charging port 22 will engage dowel pin 228 and actuate service valve 118 to the fully "open" position shown in FIG. 2.
In order to disconnect service coupling 20 from charging port 22, it is simply necessary to rotate knob 70 to close valves 118, 44 and manually retract locking sleeve 184 to the position shown in FIG. 3. This retraction moves shoulder 188 of locking sleeve 184 out of engagement with detent balls 180 and thereby aligns detent balls 180 with the enlarged cylindrical wall 182 permitting detent balls 180 to move radially outwardly to disengage them from shoulder 220 of charging port 22. However, manual retraction of locking sleeve 184 is rendered difficult if not impossible due to the trapped refrigerant pressure in first cavity 224. The trapped refrigerant exerts an axial force on charging port 22, which is redirected into locking sleeve 184 through detent balls 180. Therefore, it is necessary to vent the pressure trapped in first cavity 224 prior to disconnecting service coupling 20.
To reduce pressure in first cavity 224, a pressure bleed passage 230 is provided between first cavity 224 and the exterior of service coupling 20. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, pressure bleed passage 230 extends between channel 96 and an exterior surface of adjustment post 96, as illustrated in
Alternatively, or in combination with the bleed passage configurations illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
A further alternative embodiment of the present invention, a dual function service coupling 20' is disclosed in
The embodiment discussed below differs in that the "valve assembly" consists of a shaft that is moved axially by direct connection to the knob. A spring loaded safety sleeve works in conjunction with the shaft to perform the valve function. The safety sleeve is opened when it contacts the end of the male service port, while the male service port valve is pushed open by the shaft. A more detailed description follows. The common actuator is the Knob. A more detailed description of the embodiment now follows including specific element numbers based on the included figures.
The screw-type valve 302 includes the use of mating threads 303, 304 between an inner peripheral surface of the port 22' and an outer peripheral surface of the valve to retain the valve within the charging port. Threads 303, 304 are threaded in a first direction (e.g., left handed) while the threads associated with the shaft are threaded in the opposite direction (e.g., right handed). A retaining ring 305 is also illustrated to prevent accidental disengagement of valve 302 from port 22' if valve 302 continues to be unscrewed from port 22' with an end chamfer of threads 304 engaging ring 305.
An inner peripheral surface 306 of valve 302 and an outer peripheral surface 307 on a nose portion 356 of a shaft 350 are mating hex drive elements, which could be "Allen", "Torx" or any other suitable design. When the hex drive engages, the non-circular male and female elements 306, 307 permit rotational movement of valve 302 with respect to port 22' by way of threads 303, 304 to cause longitudinal movement of valve 302 within port 22' along axis A--A. Coupling 20' is designed to work in an operationally equivalent manner whether push-pin type valve 44 or screw-type valve 302 is incorporated into charging port 22'. Therefore, a service technician does not need to know or care what type of charging port valve is incorporated into the system. For the purpose of discussion, portions of both types of valves are illustrated in the charging port 22' of the figures, but as a practical matter one or the other of the valves will typically be incorporated into the charging port. Element numbers introduced above are incorporated into coupling 20' to the extent practical and have the same purpose as discussed above except as otherwise noted.
As best seen in
A safety sleeve 324 acting as the valve housing is disposed adjacent to end 316 of leg 314 and in facing contact with the inner surface of leg 308 outside of cavity 318. A radially outer surface 326 engages sealing elements A and B. Safety sleeve 324 is defined between a first end 328 and a second end 330, one or more bleed holes 332 extending longitudinally through the safety sleeve between the two ends 328, 330. Second end 330 is in selective contact with end 316 of body portion leg 314 and in constant contact with spring 322, and is biased toward a closed position and toward charging port 22' as described further below. Safety sleeve 324 also includes one or more flow holes 334 extending from outer surface 326 and terminating at an inner radial surface 336. Flow holes 334 do not intersect bleed holes 332. Safety sleeve 324 has a thin nose portion 338 adjacent to first end 328. A transition zone including an angled chamfer 340 and an apex 342 with a longitudinally extending flat is disposed between nose portion 338 and flow holes 334. Preferably apex 342 includes an internal diameter smaller than inner radial surface 336. When end 330 of safety sleeve 324 is in contact with end 316 of body portion leg 314, the selective interaction between chamfer 340 and apex 342 in combination with sealing element D limits the rearward travel of a shaft 350.
Radially inner surfaces of sleeve 324 adjacent second end 330 and leg 314 adjacent end 316 include a groove 343 adapted to retain sealing elements C and F respectively. Sealing elements C and F are disposed on either side of the point of interface between safety sleeve 324 and leg 314 in part to prevent fluid flow into cavity 318 when the safety sleeve engages the leg to seal the cavity with the exception of bleed holes 332. Additional features of the sealing elements are discussed further below in combination with the functional position of service coupling 20'.
A longitudinally extending shaft 350 acts as service valve 118, but includes additional functionality as well. It is received in an interior passageway defined by safety sleeve 324 radially inwardly of pressure balancing passage 328. Shaft 350 extends between a first end 352 and a second end 354. Hex element 307 is disposed on an outer surface of shaft 350 adjacent first end 352, and adapted to mate with corresponding complementary hex element 306 of thread-valve 302 to open and close the charging port 22' when it includes this type of valve as discussed in more detail below. When a push-pin type valve 44 is used, first end 352 engages the valve to open and close the valve as also discussed in more detail below.
Shaft 350 includes a nose portion 356 adjacent to first end 352 having an outer diameter with a transition zone defined by an angled chamfer 358 and an apex 360 adjacent to hex element 307. Apex 360 has an outer diameter greater than the diameter of nose portion 356 and a longitudinally extending flat portion. A groove 362 is disposed adjacent to the transition zone, with a sharply angled, generally perpendicular shoulder 364 adjacent to apex 360 defining one of the walls of the groove. A sealing member D is disposed against shoulder 364. Typically, the sealing member D is bonded to the shoulder 364. However, a groove type arrangement may also be used. The relative diameters of apex 334 and 360, respectively, as well as the relative longitudinal positions of the transition zones of safety sleeve 324 and shaft 350, respectively, result in the selective engagement of sealing member D against chamfer 340 as discussed in greater detail below. Shaft 350 threadingly engages leg 314 of valve body section 108' adjacent to web 312 using threads 370, 372, which are threaded oppositely to threads 303, 304 to permit the longitudinal movement of the shaft with respect to valve body 58'.
As best seen in
Knob 70' includes a simple retaining ring groove 394 adapted to receive a retaining ring 396 such that as the knob moves longitudinally between an engaged and disengaged position, retaining ring 396 is moved between front groove 380 and rear groove 390 as discussed in more detail below. Shaft sleeve 378 is included in the illustrated embodiment to allow flexibility in the sizing of the torque controlling retaining ring, but may not be needed. An inner radial surface 392 of knob 70' includes two longitudinally disposed grooves 393 adapted to retain sealing members G and H. Members G and H selectively engage the outer surface of section leg 308 of body portion 58' and defined by diameter 212 in part to provide a fluid tight seal when vent hole 320 is disposed there between. A longitudinally inner end 398 of knob 70' includes an optional chamfer 400 such that when knob 70' is in its fully retracted orientation, vent holes 320 are open to the outer environment.
In
Vent hole 320 is uncovered, permitting any trapped pressure to escape when knob 70' is moved to the shown position following service. Release sleeve 184 may be retracted to allow connection or disconnection to male charging port 22' as already discussed above.
Yet, no undesirable pressure release has taken place. This is because safety sleeve 324 is spring loaded by spring 322 to a closed position and will always remain in its closed position, as illustrated regardless of the position of knob 70', when not secured to charging port 22'.
In
Knob 70' has been pushed forward longitudinally with minimal effort until retaining ring 396 rides up shallow angled shoulder 388 out of groove 390, over apex 386 and into front groove 380. During this motion, drive pin 374 engages a mating drive slot 376 in knob 70' such that any clockwise rotation of the knob will rotate and advance shaft 350 because of the mating engagement of threads 370, 372 between shaft 350 and body portion 58'. Further, by pushing knob 70' forward vent hole 320 is sealed as discussed with respect to FIG. 11.
On the other hand, if coupling 20' is attached to a push-pin type valve 44, chamfer 452 of shaft 350 will move end 454 of valve 44 to an open position. The process works as follows: As knob 70' is rotated clockwise from the position shown in
In the open orientation seal E prevents leakage between body portion 58' and the male charging port 22'. Seal F prevents leakage between body portion 58' and shaft 350. Seals G and H prevent leakage between outer diameter 212 of body portion 58' and knob 70'. Seals G and H are positioned on either side of bleed hole 320 to provide pressure balancing to minimize the effort required to move knob 70'. Seals A through D are pressurized from all sides, but do not perform any necessary sealing function.
After servicing, knob 70' is rotated counterclockwise to close the valves. If attached to screw type valve 302, shaft 350 will rotate with the knob until the screw valve is properly seated. Further rotation of knob 70' will apply a predetermined torque value to the screw as follows. The engagement feature of knob 70' is in the shape of a "saw tooth" with at least two teeth that engage drive pin 374 through shaft 350. As knob 70' is turned counter-clockwise, pin 374 rides up the angle defined by the saw-tooth with a camming effect. This tends to force pin 374 out of engagement with knob 70'. Resisting this action is retaining ring 396 retained in front groove 380 of shaft sleeve 358. At a predetermined torque value the retaining ring 396 is forced up the relatively steep angle of ramp 384 and over apex 386 to then travel down shoulder 388 into rear groove 390. This allows knob 70' to move rearward relative to the shaft 350, again uncovering vent hole 320. Knob 70' is free to rotate.
If charging port 22' includes a push-pin valve 44, shaft 350 retracts until safety sleeve 324 contacts body 58' by way of the engagement between sealing member D retained in groove 362 of shaft 350 and chamfer 340 of safety sleeve 324. Further rotation of knob 70' disengages the knob from shaft 350 as discussed above for the threaded type valve.
Bleed hole 332 connected between cavities 458 and 318 allows the pressure trapped between charging port 22' and service coupling 20' to be released when knob 70' uncovers vent hole 320.
An alternative embodiment of coupling 20' is illustrated in
Although certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention. A person of ordinary skill in the art will realize that certain modifications and variations will come within the teachings of this invention and that such variations and modifications are within its spirit and the scope as defined by the claims.
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Sep 13 2002 | HAUNHORST, GREGORY A | Eaton Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 013302 | /0788 |
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